MFEST IV

What more can be said about MFEST that hundreds of Internet forums and weblogs haven’t said? This is the 6th installment of the legendary MFEST series of automotive euphoria, which took place at none other than Sin City. In retrospect, it’s hard to believe that what started out 6 years ago….

By Rich Coyle

Location: Las Vegas Speedway, Nevada

Web: www.mfest.com

What more can be said about MFEST that hundreds of Internet forums and weblogs haven’t said? This is the 6th installment of the legendary MFEST series of automotive euphoria, which took place at none other than Sin City. In retrospect, it’s hard to believe that what started out 6 years ago as a meeting amongst BMW M-Series cars has evolved into an annual claustrophobic takeover of the Las Vegas Strip and Speedway. The journey of the world-breaking caravan begins in West Los Angeles at 4:30 a.m. The Los Angeles chapter then jumps on the freeway in eager anticipation on its way to Barstow for the first stop of two—and the meeting place for the rest of the chapters.

The scene could only be described as a seemingly endless wave of BMWs taking over the freeway to Vegas in a bee-like caravan averaging about 100 mph. Sure, there were some overzealous and lead-footed members, but who can blame them? They bought M-Series cars—not Priuses—and they’re about to participate in something they’ve been anxiously awaiting all year. Once all the caravans reached Barstow, the members regrouped and headed out to the Gold Strike in Jean, Nevada, where the final meeting takes place and the start of the once-again record-breaking caravan takes place. The ambiance at the Gold Strike was that of excitement, anticipation, and the unmistakable feeling of kids in a candy store. Once the multiple photos were snapped, buzzing members (old and new) slapped hands as the final phase of the caravan began. With the smell of high-octane fuel and the ground-trembling sound of exhausts, you knew without a doubt it was time to invade Las Vegas. Hundreds of BMWs were locked and loaded, but something unfortunate occurred. Midway through, a few gate-crashing trucks ruined the record-breaking caravan for more than 550 BMWs cruising in unison by cutting in and out of their formation. “We would have smashed the record, if it wasn’t for those trucks cutting in and out of our line,” says a clearly upset Jo Cajita. Sure, it put a slight damper on people’s moods, but not for long.

Once people checked into the Palazzo Resort, there was no time to rest. The race festivities were underway at 6 p.m. at the Las Vegas Speedway for the quarter-mile drag shootout. And after the drag races ended, you better have worn something nice or got to your room fast, as MFEST members were pre-partying it up at Lavo inside The Palazzo to celebrate the arrival of MFEST.

If you weren’t hung over from the night before at Lavo, you were at the Las Vegas Speedway again for the real treat of the weekend: the legendary MFEST car show and track event, along with the epic tuner shootout. Tuners from all over the country came to blaze the track with what they brought and lay it all on the line. Truths were told, records were shattered, and hearts were broken. After all, this is what MFEST is all about. On an interesting side note, Cadillac, in conjunction with D3 (Cadillac’s premier tuner), showed up with one the largest displays and brought some heat with its track-ready cars. It seems to be proof-positive that MFEST’s reach is more than just that of BMWs. As a result, companies other than BMW are supporting the event just like Lexus did last year with its crowd-pleasing LF-A. Once everything was said and done at the track, everyone returned to the Palazzo to rest up—because the night was still young and the main club event was to take place at Tao Nightclub at the Venetian. Mind you, this is where things get a little blurry…

This event was definitely a cut above, and HH felt privileged to be among the industry’s elite to bare witness to greatness. And once again, we cannot wait to come back next year!

A random flick from years back. Years back I lucky enough to have been invited to go on the Poker Run from Long Beach to Catalina and the experience was as exhilarating as much as it was nerve-wracking. The violence of hitting waves at 100+ mph was enough to make you sh*t yourself[…]

Sometimes it’s the most random visits that turn into the greatest ideas. On another note check out this gate from Rajasthan which was re purposed as a window gate. I’ll have more on how it got here and who it once belonged too soon enough. Stay tuned for some pretty cool shit and[…]

You can find out in the next issue of HH Magazine. His first paycheck netted him 7 dollars and now he lives on a 10-acre spread filled with art that fills up both his house as well as his garage. It’s an epic story of the American Dream and you’ll find the[…]

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